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Why Google buying Nest has sent temperatures rising on the web
Google Blows $3.2bn Nest egg
Google's about to get the plumbers in. Earlier this week, it bought Nest, a business that's trying to create a "smart" home thermostat management system that learns your home heating routine.
We can tell you, it's not that hard. If it's cold, you turn it on. When you get warm enough or you've already spent hundreds on gas or electric in any given month, you turn it off again and start doing star jumps to stay warm. It's a thing that doesn't really need automating.
Does this mean Google's about to start harvesting data on how warm we like the lounge? Will it be able to grass us up when we secretly put the heating on? Or is it something more complex to do with the "connected home" and internet fridges and fax washing machines and SMS-enabled cookers and all that interconnected rubbish no one really cares about?
As far as the commenters on the internet are concerned, it's clearly some sort of cynical move to encroach upon our lives and monitor our pathetic existences in greater detail. Then tell the NSA all about it.
Going thermonuclear
Perhaps the ultimate reason for the acquisition was uncovered by Techcrunch reader Rashad Abdul-Salaam, who piped up with: "Must have Google+ account to install and use."
A little further down the same thread reader Dan Nunn said, equally cynically: "...we'd have to look to the Motorola acquisition to see what dramatic benefits the backing of Google can bring Nest. Within two years, maybe we will be able to custom-order a Nest with a coloured backplate and laser etch your name into it."
The heat is on
The award for the quickest descent into paranoid commentary about the NSA was won by Wired reader Introbulus, who seems to think the reason for Google's purchase is because they want to spy on him in the shower.
Responding to a comment about how credit card information gathered by banks for decades is much more personal and valuable than data that could be harvested by a bloody heater, he said: "Signing and accepting a contract for payment by electronic exchange is one thing. Putting a listening device in your house to gather data on your habits for business moguls is... it's basically what everyone gets upset at the NSA for doing."
A few saner people then pointed out that Nest thermostats don't come with HAL-like eyes and directional mics on them and that, maybe, he ought to calm down a bit. Calm down or go to live in a shed the woods on his own with a nice collection of guns instead.
Cold war
Even on CNN, where you'd think people might be a bit more adult about it, everyone thinks Google's leading us all into a dramatised real-world version of George Orwell's 1984.
Reader Andrew seems to think the planet is a couple of years away from becoming one enormous North Korea ruled over by Eric "Kim Jong" Schmidt and his Google+ membership enforcement death squads, saying: "No one is out to protect you now because no one is going to listen about privacy complaints when their pockets are getting filled with money. Whether it's the corporations or even the government. We are heading into an era of absolutely 'No Privacy' whatsoever, which leads to Totalitarianism."
Dude, it's just a thermostat. A little thing that makes the radiators warm when you've been sitting still for too long and your feet have gone cold. You'd think people would be embracing our new, house-warming robot overlords.
And in response, reader Stephen told us a little too much about his personal paranoia threat levels. He's basically in a safe room right now with a gun and 1,000 tins of beans, waiting for the apocalypse, saying: "Security? I got two big dogs. Heat? I got a 600lb plate steel wood stove, that doesn't need any electricity. Food? I got mason jars in the pantry, filled with processed, home-grown tomatoes, potatoes and green beans. Rather than make life more complicated, with these new fangled gadgets, I choose to simplify my life."
What are you going to burn when Google buys all the trees, Steve?
In a quite ridiculous, sprawling, 700+ comment thread about how having to create accounts to run connected cloud services is basically like selling your soul to Satan in order to be able to run an app on your phone, readers on The Verge engaged in numerous battles about the rights and wrongs of giving data to corporations.
Reader DeV14nt suggested the whole shambles is "...making privacy nuts look nuts," adding: "Oh no, they know I like the colour green! And my house at 70 degrees!" That's extremely valuable information for the staff at your local hardware store, though, Dev.
The best joke of the week came from The Register reader Anonymous Coward, who said: "At least it's not Amazon, otherwise we'd get bombarded with emails along the lines of 'Other people with homes at the same temperature as yours have looked at these woolly jumpers'."
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By Mike Moore
By Darren Allan
By Tom Power
By Elie Gould
By Craig Hale


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CDSCO Sets 18 Month Deadline for Efficacy, Safety Testing
The drugs came to market after state drug licensing authorities issued manufacturing licenses to makers of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) that were not cleared by CDSCO, according to a notice released last week.
"This is a welcome move," Chinu Srinivasan, co-convener of the All India Drug Action Network, told In-Pharmatechnologist.com.
The state commissioners are and were just acting careless and irresponsible, Srinivasan added, noting that when state commissioners will respond to the CDSCO notice is a matter of "who will blink first."
Some of these drugs were approved as "new drugs" per Rule 122E of India's legislation governing the regulation of drugs, called the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. The rule seemed to offer state licensing authorities a loophole whereby they could issue manufacturing licenses without CDSCO approval.
History of Issues
The problem of unapproved FDCs has persisted for years. In 2007, CDSCO called on state drug controllers to withdraw 294 FDCs licensed without approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), but the manufacturers stayed the order in the Madras High Court and the drugs were never withdrawn.
More recently, however, India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ordered state governments in October to instruct their drug licensing authorities to not approve manufacturing licenses for companies that have yet to be evaluated by the DCGI.
Those orders came after a report from India's Parliament last summer found that the high number of unapproved FDCs on the market could be putting patients at risk. The report also alleged that CDSCO was colluding with industry in some of its approval decisions and that drugs were being approved without local clinical trials.
Since the report, CDSCO has asserted its regulatory control with a flurry of action. The regulator unveiled a system for faster drug recalls, a guideline for unannounced inspections of clinical trial sites, and the establishment of a competent authority to oversee API exports. India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad also launched a committee of three experts to look into CDSCO's procedures for approving drugs.

subset: commoncrawl


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PwnPi is a penetration testing distribution rolled up for the Raspberry Pi platform. This should come as no surprise to anyone. The RPi board has a beefy processor, it's relatively low power, has the option of the on-board NIC or a USB WiFi dongle, and it already has Linux kernel and desktop sources available to start from.
Now we will admit we're a bit disappointed from this tip. Don't get us wrong, the distro looks like it's well done, and we're sure there are a lot of folks out there who will be happy to have these tools to help test their network security. But this is a software only hack and we were expecting to see a nice little covert package that could be plugged into an outlet (SheevaPlug style), or a battery-powered module that can be plugged into an Ethernet port and hidden away.
Now you know what we want, don't forget to send in a link once you pull it off.
[Thanks Scott]


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Highharvestide 3 sees the beginning of Year 3 Events and the introduction of one of the fiercest and most loyal allies to the Companions of the Hall: Thibbledorf Pwent, Dwarven Battlerager! Our first Y3 Event also brings back the Y2 and Y1 Champions to unlock: Stoki, the Rock Gnome Monk, and Farideh, the Tiefling Warlock. For more information about how Y3 Events work, check out our Year 3 Events Dev Blog.
Players have until Monday, October 7th at 12PM Pacific to complete their Highharvestide 3 unlocks and objectives.
New Champion: Thibbledorf Pwent
- Despite a reputation as a loud, gruff, and stinky dwarf who hates bathing, Thibbledorf Pwent is a loyal and beloved member of Clan Battlehammer. Known as 'Pwent' to his friends, he leads the Gutbusters of Mithral Hall, a dwarven battlerager squad focused on direct combat with little regard for their own safety. He wears armor completely covered in spikes to help rend the flesh of his enemies, and in the midst of battle Pwent often falls into a bloodrage, doing anything to protect his allies.
While not an official member of the Companions of the Hall, Pwent will always aid his King when possible — even beyond death...
For more information about our latest Champion, check out the Idle Champion Spotlight: Thibbledorf Pwent dev blog!
Year 2 Champion: Farideh
- Abandoned as an infant and adopted by an outcast dragonborn warrior, Farideh grew to adulthood acutely aware of the drawbacks of being a tiefling. Despite doing everything she could to reassure her neighbors, including keeping her wild twin sister, Havilar, out of trouble, the villagers focused on Farideh as the one who would embrace the dark side of herself. They weren't wrong.
When Havilar tried to summon an imp to practice her blade on, she drew the attention of Lorcan, a cambion looking to make warlock pacts with the descendants of one of the first Infernal warlocks, the Brimstone Angel. But Havilar was always meant for the glaive--and Farideh would do anything to keep her sister safe. While Lorcan, Asmodeus, and the Nine Hells do their utmost to corrupt her, Farideh isn't interested in power so much as defending the world from demons, the undead, and any other villains trying to bring trouble or drag her friends and family into danger. Even being made the Chosen of Asmodeus--something Asmodeus isn't going to explain to Farideh or anybody else--just means she has more magic to turn against the powers of evil.
For more information about Farideh, check out the Idle Champion Spotlight: Farideh dev blog!
Year 1 Champion: Stoki
- Born Stami Gackle, she fled her home after a terrible accident at a young age and joined a monastery of the Even Hand to study ki. An adept monk and extremely capable adventurer, her thoughtful approach to problems has earned her a reputation as an uncommonly stoic Rock Gnome.
Year Three Variants
- Underdark Reinforcements — Drow cultists appear alongside the enemies in each area, seeking to further Loth's dominion. Each cultist deals double damage. Additionally, they can only be damaged once they have been bled by Thibbledorf.
Reach Area 75. - The Plague Cometh — Cursed Cows spawn randomly in each area. If any of them reach the formation, the Champion they damage becomes cursed. Cursed Champions deal no damage and have max health halved. After 5 seconds, the curse spreads to adjacent Champions.
Reach Area 125. - Somebody's Poisoned the Well! — The bandits have poisoned the well! Luckily, Thibbledorf has some Gutbuster flasks to help. Champions lose health every time they attack. Thibbledorf is not affected by the poison.
Reach Area 175.
Year Two Variants
- Asmodeus is Watching — Cultists of Asmodeus randomly spawn alongside the normal monster waves. They drop no gold when killed.
Reach Area 75. - It's Quite A Puzzle — Only champions with Intelligence/INT score of 12 or higher are allowed in the formation.
Reach Area 125. - Time to Step Up — Asmodeus is testing Farideh. You start with Farideh in your formation, however, she is the only Champion that can deal damage. All other Champions' damage is reduced to 0, but they continue to grant buffs.
Reach Area 175.
Year One Variants
- The Farmer's Kids — The Farmer's Daughter and Son block two slots in the formation.
Reach Area 75. - Due Diligence — Quest requirements are doubled.
Reach Area 125. - Wanton Necromancy — Undead enemies randomly spawn alongside the normal monsters. These additional enemies drop no gold.
Reach Area 175.


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Infrared cameras with auto-focus
Fluke Corporation's Ti200, Ti300, and Ti400 infrared cameras uses a laser to pinpoint exactly where the camera should focus for precisely focused images every time and can connect wirelessly to a mobile app for editing.
Fluke Corporation's Ti200, Ti300 and Ti400 infrared cameras feature advanced connectivity and accuracy to maximize technicians' productivity in the field. The cameras feature LaserSharp Auto Focus, which uses a laser to pinpoint exactly where the camera should focus.
The Fluke Ti200, Ti300 and Ti400 connect to the Fluke CNX Wireless system, allowing them to be used as a main unit to view live measurements of up to five wireless modules (such as ac current or voltage modules) on its screen and integrate the data into the infrared image.
The infrared cameras feature wireless connectivity to easily transfer images from the cameras directly to PCs, an Apple iPad, or Apple iPhone which can then be imported into Fluke SmartView software, a professional suite of analysis and reporting tools for optimizing and analyzing infrared images and producing professional reports.
New SmartView Mobile App
The cameras also integrate wirelessly with the Fluke SmartView Mobile app for iPhone and iPad. The SmartView Mobile app allows users to transfer images wirelessly for additional image optimization and analysis and to create professional reports, but now they can share information without returning to the office to create and send reports to clients or management.
The Fluke infrared cameras feature patented IR-Fusion technology, which merges the infrared and visual images into a single view to better discover, diagnose, and communicate problems. With IR-Fusion technology, images can be viewed from full infrared to blended views to a full visible image, to precisely document problem areas.
Fluke Corporation
Fluke Corporation: Fluke Electronics, Calibration and Networks
– See more Control Engineering sensor and vision products.
Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.


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A London bakery recently experienced the worst-case scenario of offering a Groupon for a small business, and it cost the owner thousands.
Need a Cake bakery owner Rachel Brown decided to put up a 75 percent discount on a dozen cupcakes on the site, which dropped the price down to $10 from $40.
Apparently, people really love getting cupcakes cheap, because she was rushed by throngs of customers in a cupcake frenzy.
A total of 8,500 people signed up, and her crew of eight had to make 102,000 cupcakes to meet the orders.
Brown lost $3 per batch because she had to hire 25 extra workers to help, and she ended up losing $20,000 because of it, which is a ton for a small biz. It wiped out her profits for the year, reports the Daily Mail.
"Without doubt, it was my worst ever business decision," she told the BBC. "We had thousands of orders pouring in that really we hadn't expected to have. A much larger company would have difficulty coping."
This is just the latest in Groupon small business horror stories. A story popped up in September about a Portland cafe losing $8,000 because of a Groupon, which prompted a personal letter from founder and CEO Andrew Mason.
It brings up the always-present question about the daily deals site: does Groupon suck for small businesses?
Well, it looks like most small businesses think so. An overwhelming majority of 70 percent hate Groupon, if the latest survey from iContact is to be believed.
As for Brown and her bakery, the experience may have cost her 20 grand, but what about all the exposure she's getting for her store? Great, right? It doesn't hurt, but it probably wasn't worth the cost.
Small businesses like this bakery thrive on relationships with their local customers, not crowds of outsiders coming in to snatch up a free lunch.
Getting new customers is great, but in this case, the bakery rewarded the wrong customers. Those 8,500 people that rushed for the Groupon probably won't be coming back to pay for the same cupcakes at quadruple the price.
Only those the store has nurtured relationships with for a long time (in Brown's case, 25 years), should be the ones rewarded. They're the ones that keep coming back for more.


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Oscar-winning screenwriter Paul Haggis (Crash) raises navel-gazing to an art form with Third Person, a Crash-y, borderline trashy entry in the genre of global interlocking stories. Those who scoffed at Crash will have even more to sniff at here, and the Best Picture's defenders may think twice after slogging through Third Person's 137 minutes (Haggis also directs and produces).
Holding the film's center is Liam Neeson, as Pulitzer-winning fiction writer Michael. Having recently split with his wife Elaine (Kim Basinger), Michael carries on with journalist and aspiring author Anna (Olivia Wilde) in his Parisian hotel suite, even as he struggles with exploiting the lives of his loved ones (and himself) as fodder for his art. The film is at its best, and most comfortable in this milieu, with its most obvious Haggis surrogate in Michael.
Meanwhile, in Rome, sarcastic small-time businessman Scott (Adrien Brody) plays the part of ugly American, seeking comfort food at the "Café Americano." There he befriends--or becomes the mark for--a beautiful Roma woman named Monika (Moran Atias), who eventually spills that she's desperate for cash to ransom her eight-year-old daughter from traffickers. In Third Person's New York story, former soap actress Julia (Kunis) nears the end of her rope as she takes her last shot at resolving a child custody case hinging on an allegation of child abuse. The father of her six-year-old child, ex-husband (and aspiring artist) Rick (James Franco) won't give an inch to Julia or her sympathetic lawyer Theresa (Maria Bello).
Did I mention that Scott and Michael also have (or had?) young children? The stories all rhyme in circumstances and themes, in ways that will drive some viewers up the wall. To a one, these are damaged people tying to overcome their own deep-seated flaws and break down the defenses of those they want to love. At times, Haggis's stylistic choices feel cliched, from the faux-Philip Glass of the opening montage to the slo-mo and Euro-accordion that introduce Monika. But it's also possible it's all part of Haggis's game in a film that immediately begs the question "Alright, what is he playing at?" The puzzle-piece structure eventually makes a picture, or at least reveals the gimmick.
Figuratively and literally, Third Person is as much about the writer's process as anything else (Haggis self-deprecatingly winks at the audience when Michael's agent opines "Now you have random characters making various excuses for your life"). But the tasteful austerity of style and solid performances can't overcome a script that largely stands between emotional humanity and the viewer. The sense of intellectual remove can be conceptually interesting, but it makes for a very long, often frustrating journey to a destination not a fraction as appealing as New York, Paris, or Rome.


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By Jacque Wilson
(CNN) — Doctors are looking for more information about a "polio-like syndrome" that has caused paralysis in a few children in California.
Neurologists have identified five patients who developed paralysis in one or more of their limbs between August 2012 and July 2013. All five children had been vaccinated against the poliovirus. Treatment did not seem to help the children regain their motor function.
Samples from two of the children tested positive for enterovirus 68, a rare virus that has been linked to severe respiratory illness in the past. Samples from the other three children were not collected or tested soon enough to yield conclusive results, said Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant, a neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco.
Waubant and her colleagues will present a case report about these patients' illnesses at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in late April. They are asking health care providers to be on the lookout for similar cases and send in samples from any patient exhibiting these symptoms.
Dr. Carol Glaser, chief of the Encephalitis and Special Investigation Section at the California Department of Public Health, said the state is aware of the paralysis cases but believes the risk to families is very low.
"We are evaluating cases as they are reported to us," Glaser said in an e-mail to CNN. "We have not found anything at this point that raises any public health concerns."
The poliovirus has been eradicated in the United States for more than 30 years. Only three countries in the world are not yet free of the disease: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization.
Poliovirus is part of the Picornaviridae family, which also includes enteroviruses and rhinoviruses (better known as the common cold). There are more than 100 types of enterovirus that cause 10 million to 15 million infections in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most people who become infected with an enterovirus do not get sick or experience only mild symptoms, said Dr. Steven Oberste, chief of the Polio and Picornavirus Laboratory Branch at the CDC. Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, skin rash and body aches.
Enterovirus is often the cause of "summer colds," whose cases spike in July, August and September. Children and teens are more likely to fall ill because they have not yet built up immunity to these common viruses.
However, some types of enterovirus are more serious. These can cause hand, foot and mouth disease; viral meningitis; encephalitis (inflammation of the brain); an infection of the heart; and paralysis in some patients.
Enterovirus 68 was first identified in a California lab in 1962, after four children came down with a severe respiratory illness. Between 1970 and 2005, only 26 cases of enterovirus 68 in the United States were reported to the CDC. Since 2000, the government agency has kept a closer watch and has seen 47 cases, Oberste said. Outbreaks have occurred over the years in Asia and Europe, but it's still one of the rarest types of enterovirus.
More common — and more concerning to health officials — is enterovirus 71, which was discovered by the same California lab in 1969, Oberste said. Enterovirus 71 is usually associated with severe neurological issues, including aseptic meningitis, polio-like paralysis and encephalitis.
According to a CDC report, several outbreaks of paralysis caused by enterovirus 71 were seen in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, fatal encephalitis was a big problem in Malaysia and Taiwan.
"Ever since then, the virus has circulated in high levels in Southeast Asia," Oberste said.
In recent years, the outbreaks have spread to Australia; a cluster of cases near Sydney drew media attention in 2013.
Between 1983 and 2005, 270 cases of enterovirus 71 were reported in the United States. But none has resulted in a larger outbreak, despite the virus's infectious nature.
"That's the really odd thing," Oberste said. "We see cases from time to time in the United States. Occasionally they'll be severe. Basically it's identical to what's circulating in Asia … but it doesn't cause the same big outbreak in disease. And we really don't know why."
The CDC is aware of the small cluster of cases in California but is not actively involved in an investigation, a spokesman told CNN. Waubant and her colleagues don't want to alarm anyone with their case report presentation; they're simply seeking help in finding the cause of these seemingly connected cases.
"We would like to stress that this syndrome appears to be very, very rare," one of Waubant's colleagues, Dr. Keith Van Haren, said in a prepared statement.
Parents need to know that vaccination is key to preventing polio from returning to the United States, Glaser said. While there is no vaccine to protect you from a non-polio enterovirus, washing your hands frequently and avoiding close contact with others who are sick can help.
™ & © 2014 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


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Tommy Robredo went through some spring cleaning on Friday morning, making good on a bet back in Argentina to shave his head if he won the Copa Telmex title.
It all started back in Buenos Aires, when Tommy saw his friends Daniel Gimeno-Traver, Marcel Gronellers, and Alberto Montanes — all with buzz cuts. The world No. 15 said he would do the same if he won his finals match against Juan Monaco (and he did.
Robredo traveled to Acapulco this week for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel hoping that his friends would have forgotten about this bet, but of course they didn't let him off the hook; at the Fairmont Princess Hotel, Montanes' coach Narcis Pelach styled Robredo's hair as Santiago Ventura, Granollers, and Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo looked on.
After the hair cut, the now-aerodynamic Spaniard sailed past American Kevin Kim and said: "I feel much faster on the court without any hair in my head."
In the quarters, Jose Acasuso snapped Robredo's 12-match winning streak 7-5, 6-2. This was the fourth time in as many weeks that they've played each other (and are tied at 2-2).
More: A few more pics after the cut…
(images courtesy of the ATP)


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From the Danube Delta to Prague with 2 Nights Transylvania
From the legend of Dracula's castle, to the "Paris of the East" in Bucharest, to the "Golden City" of Prague, in the Czech Republic, you'll embark on an odyssey of new discoveries to treasure.You'll begin in the mysterious landscapes of Romania, with an excursion to Transylvania. You'll tour Bran Castle, home of legendary Romanian vampire of folklore—Dracula. Continue to Brasov for some free time to explore, as well as a sightseeing tour and drive into the soaring Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. Back in Bucharest enjoy a tour of the capital's boulevards, Arc de Triomphe, Royal Palace Square, and historic sites from a dramatic history before embarking your Avalon ship and sail overnight to St. Gheorghe for an excursion to the Danube Delta. Cruise through the Balkans and Budapest to Vienna and Austria, and to the exquisite city of Prague. Seeing such a variety of landscapes, languages, cultures, and historic sites will be an unmatched treasure not to be missed. We invite you to join us on this great adventure from Romania to the Black Sea Delta to the Golden City of Prague.
City Highlights
Day 1 Bucharest: welcome to BucharestDay 2 Bucharest. Excursion to Transylvania—Brasov: guided visit of Dracula's Bran CastleDay 3 Brasov—Bucharest: guided sightseeing in Brasov and Peles CastleDay 4 Bucharest—Fetesti (Embarkation): guided sightseeing in Bucharest; onboard welcome receptionDay 5 St. Gheorghe: excursion to Danube Delta: km 0 celebration Day 6 Cernavodă. Excursion to Constanta: guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological MuseumDay 7 Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi: guided sightseeing, visit Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo, and the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi; or guided sightseeing of RousseDay 8 Vidin—Belogradchik: guided sightseeing to Vidin's fortress; excursion to Belogradchik, see the rock formations Day 9 Iron Gates—Donji Milanovac: cruise through the Iron Gates gorge; visit Lepenski Vir archaeological siteDay 10 Belgrade: guided sightseeing; lecture on boardDay 11 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: guided tour and organ concert in PécsDay 12 Budapest: day at leisureDay 13 Budapest: guided tour, see Heroes' SquareDay 14 Bratislava: guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin's CathedralDay 15 Vienna: guided tour, see the Kuntskammer's collection; choice of additional sightseeing, or a complimentary museum ticketDay 16 Dürnstein—Wachau Valley—Melk: choice of guided walk, or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; wine tastingDay 17 Linz: guided walkDay 18 Passau: guided walkDay 19 Deggendorf (Disembarkation)—Regensburg—Prague: transfer to Regensburg, guided sightseeing; travel by motorcoach to PragueDay 20 Prague: guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradčany Castle groundsDay 21 Prague: your vacation ends this morning
In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.


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A specially formed material that can provide custom broadband absorption in the infrared can be identified and manufactured using "genetic algorithms," according to Penn State engineers, who say these metamaterials can shield objects from view by infrared sensors, protect instruments and be manufactured to cover a variety of wavelengths.
"The metamaterial has a high absorption overbroad bandwidth," said Jeremy A. Bossard, postdoctoral fellow in electrical engineering. "Other screens have been developed for a narrow bandwidth, but this is the first that can cover a super-octave bandwidth in the infrared spectrum."
Having a broader bandwidth means that one material can protect against electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of wavelengths, making the material more useful. The researchers looked at silver, gold and palladium, but found that palladium provided better bandwidth coverage. This new metamaterial is actually made of layers on a silicon substrate or base. The first layer is palladium, followed by a polyimide layer. On top of this plastic layer is a palladium screen layer. The screen has elaborate, complicated cutouts -- sub-wavelength geometry -- that serve to block the various wavelengths. A polyimide layer caps the whole absorber.
"As long as the properly designed pattern in the screen is much smaller than the wavelength, the material can work effectively as an absorber," said Lan Lin,graduate student in electrical engineering. "It can also absorb 90 percent of the infrared radiation that comes in at up to a 55 degree angle to the screen."
To design the necessary screen for this metamaterial, the researchers used a genetic algorithm. They described the screen pattern by a series of zeros and ones -- a chromosome -- and let the algorithm randomly select patterns to create an initial population of candidate designs. The algorithm then tested the patterns and eliminated all but the best. The best patterns were then randomly tweaked for the second generation. Again the algorithm discarded the worst and kept the best. After a number of generations the good patterns met and even exceeded the design goals. Along the way the best pattern from each generation was retained. They report their results in a recent issue of ACSNano.
"We wouldn't be able to get an octave bandwidth coverage without the genetic algorithm," said Bossard. "In the past, researchers have tried to cover the bandwidth using multiple layers, but multiple layers were difficult to manufacture and register properly."
This evolved metamaterial can be easily manufactured because it is simply layers of metal or plastic that do not need complex alignment. The clear cap of polyimide serves to protect the screen, but also helps reduce any impedance mismatch that might occur when the wave moves from the air into the device.
"Genetic algorithms are used in electromagnetics, but we are at the forefront of using this method to design metamaterials," said Bossard.
Other researchers on this project included Seokho Yun, former postdoctoral fellow in electrical engineering, Liu Liu,graduate student in electrical engineering, Douglas H. Werner, McCain Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering, and Theresa Meyer, Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, all at Penn State.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Penn State. Original written by A'ndrea Elyse Messer. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
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Open-plan living space, family room, snug-come-home-office – the sitting room is one of the most-used areas of a home. Make yours welcoming with furniture and accessories that express your style.


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6 Groups That Were Huge 10 Years Ago But Newer Fans Have Probably Never Heard Of
Fame is fleeting. These groups were household names ten years ago but many people don't seem to remember their legacy and the impact on the industry. It seems that unless a group had incredible longevity or a massive viral hit, they fade away with time.
When fans talk about the K-Pop landscape of a decade ago, they pitch it as a battle between Girl's Generation and Wonder Girls for supremacy with 2NE1 and f(x) also thrown in the mix. Many people forget about KARA who were almost as successful as the two girl group giants at the time. Many of their songs like "Honey" and "Step" were huge hits.
They were also a girl group who pioneered Korean groups entering the Japanese market, they had more initial success abroad than many others who were trying the same venture at the time. Their song "Mister" was a massive hit in Japan.
KARA's last Korean album was released in 2013 and slowly their contracts expired with DSP Media, eventually confirming their disbandment.
SS501 was a massive boy group a decade ago but their fame seems to have entirely faded. Many fans don't even recognise the name.
The five-member boy group debuted in 2005 and throughout their career, they released many critically acclaimed songs such as "Lova Ya" which was released in 2010, the year they went inactive.
It's unlikely that we'll see SS501 returning but they have left behind a fine legacy and discography.
MBLAQ (pronounced M.B.L.A.Q) was a group formed by popular Korean musician and entertainer Rain in 2009. They came in hot and were an instant force in the industry. Their presence has been gradually waning almost ever since their debut but during their first few years they were incredibly popular. Their debut song was beloved by many when it was released:
4. Secret
Secret was a 4-member girl group formed by TS Entertainment in 2009. Many fans won't remember this girl group who at times competed with the top groups in K-Pop. They only recently disbanded officially.
They were once known as "basement idols" because of the poor conditions they lived in at the time of their debut. Thankfully they were able to move into better living arrangements due to their rapid success. The group experienced a messy break-up with TS Entertainment and after some protracted legal battles over not receiving payments they officially disbanded.
Their song "Shy Boy" reached number one on the Korean charts despite the stiff competition they faced at the time.
5. SeeYa
SeeYa was a three-member girl group formed by Mnet Media in 2006. One of their members, Nam Gyuri, left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by new member Lee Soomi in 2009. Gyuri returned for SeeYa's final promotions in 2010 which is when the above picture was taken.
They are best known for their breakout song "Love Greeting" which released in 2007. SeeYa, much like Secret, was a group that consistently achieved high chart numbers and had sustainable popularity before they eventually disbanded in 2010.
The group recently made a return as a trio on Sugarman 3, for their first performance together in over 10 years.
6. SG Wannabe
SG Wannabe were labelmates of SeeYa. They were formed in 2004 by Mnet Media and interestingly initially declined to appear on music shows and make public appearances because they believed their music spoke for itself.
One of their original members, Chae Dong Ha, unfortunately committed suicide in 2011 after a long battle with depression. SG Wannabe is a group that persists to this day, with their most recent release being in late 2016 which was highly acclaimed.
They were and still are very talented vocalists that seem to be little-known among newer fans. "Arirang" from the best selling Korean album of 2007, Sentimental Chord, has SG Wannabe's soothing vocals accompanied by traditional Korean instruments which combines to create a critically acclaimed piece of work. Fans may only recognize Lee Seokhoon for his time as the vocal trainer on the Produce series.


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Henry Gunderson, Sat 4/5 Tuesday, 01 April 2014 /// Written by Van Edwards
NYC based Henry Gunderson opens a show of new works at Ever Gold this Saturday April 5th (7-11pm). Should be a good one ~Show details
5 Years of Ever Gold Monday, 10 February 2014 /// Written by Trippe
SAN FRANCISCO --- Our friends over at Ever Gold recently celebrated their 5th anniversary and put together this video from the opening night celebration... Their current show with Mauricio Ancalmo "Krap Etag Nedlog Reve" is up now through March.
Ever Gold 5th Anniversary Friday, 24 January 2014 /// Written by Trippe
SAN FRANCISCO --- The Ever Gold Gallery deserves a major congratulations on the opening of their new show, celebrating the fifth anniversary of the gallery (PHOTOS).
With work from tons of artists, they somehow managed to balance the amount of work with the small space and it felt perfect. There was a diverse range of mediums, from film to paint to sculpture and fiber, and it helped show the breadth of the gallery's work over the last five years. It was packed full of people and therefore very hot inside, but it was filled with excitement that spilled out into the street.
This is definitely a show worth checking out, and has work from several Bay Area artists, supporting the local scene. Congrats, Ever Gold, I can't wait to see what the next five years brings you.
Mario Ayala, 7x7, 2013, Gouache, enamel, airbrush and sidewalk chalk on paper, 11"x14"
Alex Braubach, The Kitten Book, 2012, Glitter on found page, 7.5"x9.5"
Michelle Blade, Day 333, from 344 Days of the Apocalypse series, Acrylic ink on paper, 11.5"x14.5"
5 Yrs. of Ever Gold Tuesday, 14 January 2014 /// Written by Trippe
SAN FRANCISCO --- Congrats to our friends at Ever Gold who celebrate their 5th anniversary this Thursday, the 15th, with a massive solid lineup. For comeplete details, get clicky here.
Mark Mulroney at Ever Gold (+Photos) Monday, 20 May 2013 /// Written by Trippe
Fertile Menace, a new show of Mark Mulroney's (NY) work opened at Ever Gold on May 4th and it's not one to be missed. It is intelligently hilarious, with jokes riffing off sex, Foucault, and the body, and while it makes you laugh it's also going to make you think.
The DIY shelving and sculptures balance the highly-skilled execution of his drawings and paintings and the show really has something for everyone. There was a small crowd when I stopped by early in the evening, but it was a great opportunity to actually see the detailed work and read the text on some of them. I have a feeling it got busier after the sun went down completely, and I hope that people will continue to stop by before the show closes on June 8th.
Evan Nesbit at Ever Gold (+Better Late Than Never) Monday, 06 May 2013 /// Written by Van Edwards
Going through an email folder and forgot to post photos from Evan Nesbit's show at Ever Gold here in San Francisco.
Ever Gold's Greg Ito wearing one of Evan Nesbit's Space Blankets.
Evan Nesbit @Ever Gold Friday, 22 March 2013 /// Written by Trippe
Light Farming / Heavy Gardening <-- Ever Gold Gallery is pleased to announce Evan Nesbit's first solo exhibition with the gallery. A recent graduate of the Yale MFA program, Nesbit's recent body of work includes mixed media paintings, perceptual objects, sculpture and interactive "space blankets". || Saturday, March 23rd (6-10pm) ~show details
Henry Gunderson's Apocalypse Wednesday, 26 December 2012 /// Written by Trippe
Last Friday, the day the world was meant to end, Henry Gunderson opened his short run show (through Jan 5th) Apocalypse Shelter at Ever Gold complete with space suits and apocalyptic videos and solar heated sleeping/ yoga mats.
Funniest home videos laugh tracks over videos of the LA riots. People dragged from cars beaten to laughs like the classic "man hit in nuts" audio laugh track Bob Saget style. Colored pencil works with walls covered in aluminum foil for the journey to the afterlife.
Don't drink the koolaid
12/21/12 ~ Henry Gunderson Wednesday, 19 December 2012 /// Written by Trippe
Henry Gunderson has created a shelter at Ever Gold built to withstand "the end of the world" which is meant to happen on Friday or something? The shelter will have everything an artist needs to survive post apocalypse and will be occupied Thursday night by Gunderson and friends.
If the world doesn't end, a public reception will be held on Friday, Dec 21st (6-10pm)... Something tells us that the reception will proceed as planned, and if you find yourself holed up with a shotgun and canned food on Thursday night, please seek professional help sooner rather than later.
Henry Gunderson is ready for the end of the world.
Group Show @Ever Gold Saturday Friday, 06 July 2012 /// Written by Trippe
On Saturday, July 7th, Ever Gold here in San Francisco opens a A Super Exclusive VIP Invite Only Viewing of: A Summer Group Show featuring works by Adam Parker Smith, Guy Overfelt, Sandy Kim, Mark Benson, Jeremiah Jenkins, Mark Mulroney, Chris Ritson and Evan Nesbit. (5-10pm) 441 O'Farrell St. - Complete details & preview
Work by Jeremaih Jenkins
Ever Gold Saturday Thursday, 03 May 2012 /// Written by Trippe
A solo show Shit doesn't have to be so fucked up by Jeremiah Jenkins opens up at Ever Gold (441 O'Farrell St.) here in SF Saturday, May 5th (6-10pm). -Sample of the work & details
Jeremiah Jenkins Saturday at Ever Gold
Sandy Kim @Ever Gold Wednesday, 14 March 2012 /// Written by Trippe
Ever Gold and Gerald emailed over some photos from last Thursday's opening of Soft and Wet, photos by Sandy Kim.
Sandy Kim @Ever Gold Friday, 09 March 2012 /// Written by Trippe
Last Saturday Ever Gold here in San Francisco opened a new show of photographs by Sandy Kim. Below is a lil' taste.
Josh Short @Ever Gold, Tonight Thursday, 02 February 2012 /// Written by Trippe
Ever Gold in SF opens a month long residency with Josh Short's Bomb Shelter Radio and Tenderloin Self- Defense Club tonight, Thurs (6-10pm). Check the video for a complete picture of what to expect.
Over the course of his residency at Ever Gold Gallery, Josh Short will build "Bomb Shelter Radio" and host several live sonic events that will include experimental noise transmissions, live metal and hardcore bands, and subversive FM radio interventions. This will also be aided by guerrilla public installations of radios installed around the Tenderloin bringing his interventions directly to the street as a form of audio graffiti. During the day the gallery will become the "Tenderloin Self-Defense Club", where Short will offer martial arts instruction to the neighborhood inhabitants, artists, and musicians. ~show details
Jessie Rose Vala @Ever Gold Tuesday, 15 November 2011 /// Written by Trippe
CCA graduate Jessie Rose Vala who moves back and forth from Portland & Brooklyn opened up Future Teller Nov 3rd at San Francisco's Ever Gold Gallery. We didn't make the opening, but Ever Gold emailed over some photos of the works and opening. Thanks for digital posting, guys.
Vala is known for her site specific installations that emphasize her diverse skill with multiple media backgrounds. Future Teller is an elaborate three dimensional mythology that serves as the artist's personal investigation into Man's fall from 'Paradise', as depicted in a utopian existence.
Lucas Soi @Ever Gold, Thurs. Thursday, 06 October 2011 /// Written by Trippe
Ever Gold emailed over a taste of tonight's show w/ Toronto-based artist Lucas Soi whose show, We Bought The Seagram Building, explores the architecture of capitalism and the economic effects of globalization through dotted ink on paper works. Andrew of Ever Gold, who sent us these images, says that the work translates much different in person than through these photos of the work.
Lucas Soi We Bought The Seagram Building @Ever Gold Gallery 441 O'Farrell St. Opening, Thursday, Oct 6th (6-10pm)
Water McBeer @Ever Gold Tuesday, 16 August 2011 /// Written by Kid Yellow
San Francisco's Water McBeer puts on their second show this time at Ever Gold Gallery July 30 - Aug 7, 2011. Featuring 21 solo shows from Featuring: Gerald Anekwe, Quinn Arneson, Mario Ayala, Juan Manuel Bocca, Jordan Bogash, Ryan de la Hoz, Jeremy Fish, Matt Furie, Jay Howell, Henry Gunderson, Lili Ishida, Warren Thomas King, Kool Kid Kreyola, Aubrey Learner, Calvin Marcus, Evan Nesbit, Matthew Palladino, Albert Reyes, Eric Shaw, Aiyana Udesen, Jamie Williams, Susan Wu, Alexander Ziv, Guy Overfelt, and PEZ.
Photos: Kid Yellow.
Mr. McBeer and Bill enjoying an evening of outstanding excellence
Jordan Bagash and his date
Eric Shaw went huge
Warren King
Opening Tonight, Thursday Thursday, 07 July 2011 /// Written by Trippe
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW @111 Minna Gallery --> Collaborative show between LA graffiti writer RISK and illustrator Nathan Ota - In a career spanning 28 years, RISK has impacted the evolution of graffiti as an art form worldwide. Risk is one of the most prolific graffiti artists to date. Los Angeles based, RISK gained major notoriety for his unique style and pushed the limits of graffiti further than any writer in L.A. had before. 111 Minna St @2nd 5pm-late
Illustrator Nathan Ota and LA based graffiti writer RISK
Tahiti Pehrson @Ever Gold --> For his new body of work and first solo exhibition at Ever Gold Gallery, Tahiti Pehrson will be presenting layered monochromatic three-dimensional paper pieces that play off of shadows and light, creating dramatic scenes. Pehrson shows his edge a seasoned veteran in an increasingly popular medium by producing works of staggering detail. 441 O'Farrell St. 6-10pm
Work by Tahiti Pehrson
Ever Wash @Ever Gold Thursday, 28 April 2011 /// Written by Trippe
EVER WASH featuring Guy Overfelt curated by Tony Labat. Ever Gold Gallery 441 O'Farrell St. SF, C Photos by Charlotte Cunningham
A minimalist laundromat with a functional washer and dryer available for free use to anyone who visits and the gallerists act as attendants providing the appropriate amount of white powder laundry soap --> Please join us this Friday 4/29/11 for the closing reception of Ever Wash with super special music guests (6-10pm)
Black Gold @Ever Gold Friday, 25 March 2011 /// Written by Trippe
Black Gold Josh Short and Otto Von Busch @Ever Gold Gallery 441 O'Farrell St. 6-10pm Friday
The guys over at Ever Gold emailed over this preview of their show opening tonight and only running 2 days to conclude their Gentlemen's Club which ran throughout the month of March.
painting tress
Joshua Short and Otto Von Busch are teaming up to form BLACKGOLD. Bring your rags and junk for two nights of transformation, literally. The performance duo is preparing a group reaction-painting session that joins the Dark Satanic Northern European Arts with the American Junk Culture. Otto will be leading a spiritual restoration by blackening your old rags. Josh will be operating his Gold Standard machine, transforming your junk into gold.
Otto Von Busch
Performances, Rituals, Alchemy…bring your items to turn into gold or junk..this is an interactive audience driven performance.
Gone Fishin' Tuesday, 13 October 2015 11:39
I don't think at this point it needs to be written since the last update to Fecal Face was a long time ago, but...
I, John Trippe, have put this baby Fecal Face to bed. I'm now focusing my efforts on running ECommerce at DLX which I'm very excited about... I guess you can't take skateboarding out of a skateboarder.
It was a great 15 years, and most of that effort can still be found within the site. Click around. There's a lot of content to explore.
Hit me up if you have any ECommerce related questions. - trippe.io
SF Giants' World Series Trophy & DLX Wednesday, 04 March 2015 17:21
I'm not sure how many people are lucky enough to have The San Francisco Giants 3 World Series trophies put on display at their work for the company's employees to enjoy during their lunch break, but that's what happened the other day at Deluxe. So great.
Alexis Anne Mackenzie - 2/28 Wednesday, 25 February 2015 10:21
SAN FRANCISCO --- Alexis Anne Mackenzie opens Multiverse at Eleanor Harwood in the Mission on Saturday, Feb 28th. -details
The Death of the Artist—and the Birth of the Creative Entrepreneur Wednesday, 21 January 2015 10:34
When works of art become commodities and nothing else, when every endeavor becomes "creative" and everybody "a creative," then art sinks back to craft and artists back to artisans—a word that, in its adjectival form, at least, is newly popular again. Artisanal pickles, artisanal poems: what's the difference, after all? So "art" itself may disappear: art as Art, that old high thing. Which—unless, like me, you think we need a vessel for our inner life—is nothing much to mourn.
Hard-working artisan, solitary genius, credentialed professional—the image of the artist has changed radically over the centuries. What if the latest model to emerge means the end of art as we have known it? --continue reading
"Six Degrees" @FFDG Friday, 16 January 2015 09:30
"Six Degrees" opens tonight, Friday Jan 16th (7-10pm) at FFDG in San Francisco. ~Group show featuring: Brett Amory, John Felix Arnold III, Mario Ayala, Mariel Bayona, Ryan Beavers, Jud Bergeron, Chris Burch, Ryan De La Hoz, Martin Machado, Jess Mudgett, Meryl Pataky, Lucien Shapiro, Mike Shine, Minka Sicklinger, Nicomi Nix Turner, and Alex Ziv.
In Wake of Attack, Comix Legend Says Satire Must Stay Offensive Friday, 09 January 2015 09:59
"[Satire] is important because it brings out the flaws we all have and throws them up on the screen of another person," said Turner. "How they react sort of shows how important that really is." Later, he added, "Charlie took a hit for everybody." -read on
Solidarity Thursday, 08 January 2015 09:36
SF Bay Area: What Might Have Been Tuesday, 06 January 2015 09:36
The San Francisco Bay Area is renowned for its tens of thousands of acres of beautiful parks and public open spaces.
What many people don't know is that these lands were almost lost to large-scale development. link
1/5/14 - Going Back Monday, 05 January 2015 10:49
Jacob Mcgraw-Mikelson & Rachell Sumpter @Park Life (5/23) Friday, 23 May 2014 09:22
Opening tonight, Friday May 23rd (7-10pm) at Park Life in the Inner Richmond (220 Clement St) is Again Home Again featuring works from the duo Jacob Mcgraw-Mikelson & Rachell Sumpter who split time living in Sacramento and a tiny island at the top of Pudget Sound with their children.
Jacob Magraw will be showing embroidery pieces on cloth along with painted, gouache works on paper --- Rachell Sumpter paints scenes of colored splendor dropped into scenes of desolate wilderness. ~show details
NYPD told to carry spray paint to cover graffiti Wednesday, 21 May 2014 10:37
NYC --- A new graffiti abatement program put forth by the police commissioner has beat cops carrying cans of spray paint to fill in and cover graffiti artists work in an effort to clean up the city --> Many cops are thinking it's a waste of resources, but we're waiting to see someone make a project of it. Maybe instructions for the cops on where to fill-in?
The NYPD is arming its cops with cans of spray paint and giving them art-class-style lessons to tackle the scourge of urban graffiti, The Post has learned.
Shootings are on the rise across the city, but the directive from Police Headquarters is to hunt down street art and cover it with black, red and white spray paint, sources said... READ ON
////////// Wednesday, 16 June 2010 17:39
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The Pennsylvania Financial Institution Data Match (PA FIDM) Program is required to use the Multistate Financial Institution Data Match Specifications Handbook provided by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. You may download a copy of this handbook at:
Pennsylvania has modified its PA FIDM Program requirements and file specifications to match the Multistate FIDM file specifications according to the Multistate Financial Institution Data Match Specifications Handbook. All institutions participating in the PA FIDM Program are required to follow these Federal specifications.
However, please be aware of significant differences between the Federal FIDM Program and the PA FIDM Program. Please be sure to carefully review this document in its entirety. The differences between the Federal program and the PA FIDM Program are illustrated in the tables below.
Please also note the following Pennsylvania specific program requirements:
Please be sure to use these file names for all data file exchanges.
If a Financial Institution is submitting its own account file, the following information must be included on the label:
If the Financial Institution and Data Processor are the same, it is not necessary to repeat the FI Name and FI FEIN in the DP Name and DP FEIN section. The Contact Name and Phone Number must still be provided.
If a Third Party Data Processor is submitting the account file, the following information must be included on the label:
For both Financial Institutions and Third Party Data Processors, the reporting quarter must be included on each media label. The reporting quarters establish a file submission frequency to the PA FIDM Program. The following reporting quarters are:
If media is reused, please do not remove or conceal the PA FIDM Program's media label. Please add a new FI label or Third Party Data Processor label to the media. Be sure that these two labels are visible and clear. The two labels must not overlap one another.
For additional clarification regarding technical modifications or reporting methods, please refer to the amendment or contact Informatix, Inc.


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After 25 years of being based in Dallas, decorative accessories darling Arteriors opened a Dallas showroom for January's lighting market at the Dallas Market Center. We chatted with the company's founder and creative director Mark Moussa about expansion, his favorite lamp, and his plans for a permanent Arteriors showroom in Dallas.
Mark Moussa: Our product line has long had a presence in other showrooms in Dallas, but, given the strength of our lighting, we thought it made the most sense to debut our own space at the International Lighting Market. We're excited about finally being in our own space here at home and are planning to open a permanent Arteriors showroom in the Dallas Design District later this year.
DH: Arteriors is known for its designer collaborations. How do you pick creative partners?
MM: We look for partners with an established brand and design sensibility that can bring a look that we don't currently have. Barry Dixon brought in some incredible traditional pieces and mixed materials that our customers have been very receptive to.
DH: What's your favorite Arteriors lamp?
MM: I have a special place in my heart for the first lamp that came off our assembly line, which was based on a small candlestick that my father bought for me in an antiques shop in France. But my favorite design is the Goldberg lamp. It's made of a reclaimed piece of wood that is stripped of its bark and plated silver.
DH: What inspires your design process?
MM: So many different things feed me creatively. Whether I'm looking at a finish, a silhouette, or a table leg, I'm inspired. My eye never really rests. I can get inspiration driving down Irving Boulevard.


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Peak fitness begins from the inside out with your gut health
1. Don't eat unless you're hungry
Give your gut a break. Digestion needs energy too, which your body has to divert from elsewhere in your body, such as your brain. Eating less makes you feel like a light traveller instead of one who has to pay for excess baggage.
2. Eat food
This is less obvious than it seems. Food is what the body needs and recognises when we first smell, taste and chew on a meal; this primes our bodies to digest and assimilate food easily. Our craving for certain tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent) at different times is the body's way of telling us what kinds of food and nutrition it needs at that moment. On the other hand, so-called packaged food is industrially processed for convenience, for both takeaway and home cooking. The artificial flavourings used in its mass manufacture are meant to compensate for the original flavours lost in the processing; they trick the body into thinking it's getting the nutrition it needs. So, eat food.
3. How to recognise food
Not carbs, fats or proteins, but mangoes, papaya, pumpkin, fish, chicken, lamb, etc. These are examples of food that are found fresh and whole at your local market, i.e. they haven't been processed into ingredients for mass-manufactured products and a long shelf life. Whole foods are never purely protein, carbs or fat but a combination of the three, and many other unique traits. When we reduce them to carbs, fats or proteins, we reduce nature's bounty to a sketchy and misleading measure of nutrition.
4. Eat food fresh for good gut health
Peel an orange and the skin shrivels and dries up. Ditto for an apple or any other fruit. So why does it stay fresh when it's still part of the fruit? Whatever it is that's keeping the whole fruit fresh (scientists don't yet know) could also be why we so easily taste the freshness of whole foods, and why they're good prebiotics for our gut bacteria and a thriving digestive system.
5. Don't eat in between meals
The gastric (secretion of digestive acids) or stomach phase of digestion takes three to four hours to complete. If you keep eating before it is complete, you delay it. If you do this for long and often, the food will be in more or less a permanent state of incomplete digestion. What happens next is rapid weight gain as your body deals with undigested food mass by trying to place it outside of your congested gastrointestinal tract, like your hips, gluteus maximus and ankles (hello, gout).
6. What about "healthy snacking"?
Let's define what a snack is: something to tide you over when you feel hungry but haven't yet eaten your main meal. For example, you have a workout session scheduled in two hours, but have been stuck in meetings all day and haven't had lunch. So you pop a small handful of dates and nuts for the energy you need. That's healthy snacking.
7. Moving along: exercise and gut health
Peristalsis, the movement of food through our alimentary canal as it's being digested, is stimulated by mild exercise such as walking and gentle stretching after a main meal. (But always sit and never eat on the run; eating and running are physiologically incompatible activities). If you haven't just eaten, then exercise can be an even more effective way of toning the intestinal muscles. Talk to our Certified Fitness Coaches to find out how.


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Challenging the 'two-child limit' rule (R (on the application of SC and CB and their children) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
The Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 provides that child tax credit and its replacement universal credit will not be payable to any 3rd or subsequent children in a family born after 6th April 2017 (subject to some exceptions). This is known as the 'two child rule'.
SC and CB each had a baby after 6th April 2017 and do not receive any tax credits for those children.
Immigration rules: extending domestic violence protection to refugees (R (A) v Secretary of State for the Home Department)
The wife of a refugee was granted temporary leave to remain in the UK. When domestic violence forced her to leave her husband, immigration rules meant she was no longer eligible for indefinite leave to remain. Had her partner been a British citizen or had settled immigration status, she would still be eligible for indefinite leave to remain under the Home Office's domestic violence concession. However, the concession did not apply to partners of refugees. The woman unsuccessfully challenged the rules in the Court of Session (Outer House), and brought an appeal to the Court of Session (Inner House).


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John F. Kennedy on Free Trade | |
Helping Russia out of a jam was anathema to Capitol Hill hard-liners. Calling Kennedy's plan "indefensible," one of the hardest, Republican Senator Karl E. Mundt of South Dakota, had attached an amendment to the foreign aid bill prohibiting the Export-Import Bank from extending the credit.
The amendment would probably kill the wheat deal.
At the legislative leaders' breakfast on November 21, the day Kennedy left for Texas, Kennedy had insisted that the Mundt bill must be defeated.
All of us in the Senate meet endless examples of such conflicting pressures, which only reflects the inconsistencies inevitable in our complex economy. If we tell our constituents frankly that we can do nothing, they feel we are unsympathetic or inadequate. If we try and fail--usually meeting a counteraction from other Senators representing other interests--they say we are like all the rest of the politicians. All we can do is retreat into the Cloakroom and weep on the shoulder of a sympathetic colleague--or go home and snarl at our wives.
The 1962 bill gave the President a 5-year authority to cut all tariffs by as much as 50% and to cut tariffs down to zero on those commodities traded predominantly by the US. He never avoided the fact that, in order to sell more, we would have to buy more; and he proposed a measure to provide Federal "adjustment assistance" to firms and workers injured by any increase in imports deemed desirable. "It is time we recognized," he said, that trade is "no longer a matter of local economic interest but of high national policy. This bill by enabling us to strike a bargain with the common Market, will 'strike a blow' for freedom."
The granting of export licenses to sell wheat to the Russians was not prohibited under any of the statutes limiting commercial transactions with the Communists. But Congress had added to the Agricultural Act of 1961 an amendment opposing the sale of subsidized agricultural commodities to unfriendly nations. Republican legislators were already invoking this provision as an obstacle to any sale.
Kennedy decided to ignore it, and offered ample reason. It was only a non-binding declaration of intent. It had been adopted at the height of the Berlin crisis in a wholly different climate. And the subsidy went not to the foreign buyer but to the American heat farmer, regardless of where and whether the wheat was sold.
But the greatest challenge of all is posed by the growth of the European Common Market. Assuming the accession of the United Kingdom, there will arise across the Atlantic a trading partner behind a single external tariff similar to ours with an economy which nearly equals our own. Will we in this country adapt our thinking to these new prospects and patterns--or will we wait until events have passed us by?
This is the year to decide. The Reciprocal Trade Act is expiring. We need a new law--a wholly new approach--a bold new instrument of American trade policy. Our decision could well affect the economic growth of our Nation for a generation to come.
In short, we need not--and we shall not--take any action to increase the dollar price of gold from $35 an ounce--to impose exchange controls--to reduce our anti-recession efforts--to fall back on restrictive trade policies--or to weaken our commitments around the world.
KENNEDY: Many countries still keep restrictions against our goods, going all the way back to the days when there was a dollar shortage. Now there isn't a dollar shortage, and yet many of these countries continue to move against our goods. I believe that we must be able to compete in the market--steel and in all the basic commodities abroad--we must be able to compete against them because we always did because of our technological lead. We have to persuade these other countries not to restrict our goods coming in, not to act as if there was a dollar gap; and third, we have to persuade them to assume some of the responsibilities that up till now we've maintained, to assist underdeveloped countries make an economic breakthrough on their own. [But] we have to be able to compete in the world market.


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LONDON — A respected international panel of scientists says cell phones are possible cancer-causing agents, putting them in the same category as the pesticide DDT, gasoline engine exhaust and coffee.
The classification was issued Tuesday in Lyon, France, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer after a review of dozens of published studies. The agency is an arm of the World Health Organization and its assessment now goes to WHO and national health agencies for possible guidance on cellphone use.
Classifying agents as "possibly carcinogenic" doesn't mean they automatically cause cancer and some experts said the ruling shouldn't change people's cellphone habits.
"Anything is a possible carcinogen," said Donald Berry, a professor of biostatistics at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. He was not involved in the WHO cancer group's assessment. "This is not something I worry about and it will not in any way change how I use my cellphone," he said — speaking from his cellphone.
The same cancer research agency lists alcoholic drinks as a known carcinogen and night shift work as a probable carcinogen. Anyone's risk for cancer depends on many factors, from genetic makeup to the amount and length of time of an exposure.
After a weeklong meeting on the type of electromagnetic radiation found in cell phones, microwaves and radar, the expert panel said there was limited evidence cellphone use was linked to two types of brain tumors and inadequate evidence to draw conclusions for other cancers.
"We found some threads of evidence telling us how cancers might occur, but there were acknowledged gaps and uncertainties," said Jonathan Samet of the University of Southern California, the panel's chairman.
"The WHO's verdict means there is some evidence linking mobile phones to cancer but it is too weak to draw strong conclusions from," said Ed Yong, head of health information at Cancer Research U.K. "If such a link exists, it is unlikely to be a large one."
Last year, results of a large study found no clear link between cell phones and cancer. But some advocacy groups contend the study raised serious concerns because it showed a hint of a possible connection between very heavy phone use and glioma, a rare but often deadly form of brain tumor. However, the numbers in that subgroup weren't sufficient to make the case.
The study was controversial because it began with people who already had cancer and asked them to recall how often they used their cell phones more than a decade ago.
In about 30 other studies done in Europe, New Zealand and the U.S., patients with brain tumors have not reported using their cell phones more often than unaffected people.
Because cell phones are so popular, it may be impossible for experts to compare cellphone users who develop brain tumors with people who don't use the devices. According to a survey last year, the number of cellphone subscribers worldwide has hit 5 billion, or nearly three-quarters of the global population.
People's cellphone habits have also changed dramatically since the first studies began years ago and it's unclear if the results of previous research would still apply today.
Since many cancerous tumors take decades to develop, experts say it's impossible to conclude cell phones have no long-term health risks. The studies conducted so far haven't tracked people for longer than about a decade.
Cell phones send signals to nearby towers via radio frequency waves, a form of energy similar to FM radio waves and microwaves. But the radiation produced by cell phones cannot directly damage DNA and is different from stronger types of radiation like X-rays or ultraviolet light. At very high levels, radio frequency waves from cell phones can heat up body tissue, but that is not believed to damage human cells.
Some experts recommended people use a headset or earpiece if they are worried about the possible health dangers of cell phones. "If there is a risk, most of it goes away with a wireless earpiece," said Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society.
Brawley said people should focus on the real health hazards of cell phones. "Cell phones may cause brain tumors but they kill far more people through automobile accidents," he said. Brawley added it was also reasonable to limit children's use of cell phones since their brains are still developing.
Earlier this year, a U.S. National Institutes of Health study found that cellphone use can speed up brain activity, but it is unknown whether that has any dangerous health effects.
The cellphone industry trade group, CTIA-The Wireless Association, pointed to two U.S. agencies that have found no evidence cell phones are linked to cancer — the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Communications Commission.
The WHO's cancer research agency has reviewed more than 900 occupational exposures, chemicals and other agents since 1971, classifying their link to cancer by labeling them from carcinogenic to probably not carcinogenic. The American Cancer Society has estimated that only about 6 percent of cancers are related to environmental causes and most of that is on-the-job occupational exposure.
Cell phones 'possibly' cancer-causing
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Next-gen consoles "putting fear in a lot of people's eyes"
Innovation will drop on consoles, says Doublesix boss
A new wave of home consoles is provoking fear in the traditional video game sector and will accelerate the decline of innovative games, according to Doublesix CEO James Brooksby.
Speaking today at the Westminster Media Forum, Brooksby noted in feedback from last month's Game Developer's Conference there was a mixture of excitement and trepidation over current and future technology.
"Having come back from GDC I saw excitement and fear in equal measure, I saw dismay and triumph. A step to the next generation of classical consoles seems to have fear in a lot of peoples' eyes."
People will stick to proven development houses which is going to be a challenge for the game development industry in the UK.
James Brooksby, Doublesix
He said he didn't expect costs for next-generation hardware to rise as significantly as during the last generational change, but with such high costs publishers will take safer bets on trusted development partners, pushing smaller teams out of the console space.
"It still seems pretty scary for a lot of people, for developers and publishers alike. I think people will stick to proven development houses or in-house development which is going to be a challenge for the game development industry in the UK, and will probably mean there's going to be less people around of that scale."
There is notable excitement around new opportunities to make and sell games, said Brooksby, but he also expressed caution over the amount of freedom available to the consumer and a content makers' ability to find the player.
"People are excited by all the new ways in which they can make, distribute and monetise their games. We're almost spoilt for choice," he offered.
"Even though digital distribution is much heralded as the way forward, if you follow this route it's clear to many that these markets have changed and change very quickly.
"The migration and demographics changes of the consumers to pastures new are occurring. Perhaps it's the tipping point or where we are in the console cycle, but certainly gamers are moving around because they have so many options."
"As a company we need to look hard at where our audience has gone," he added. "Some of the excitement around small developers creating innovative games and reaping lots of rewards - on console that will be the exception rather than the rule. We're going to see more of those stories on smartphones, tablet and the trusty old PC."


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I am developing a custom theme and the navigation part uses hashtags (yes, all content is on one page). So when i use
wp_nav_menu( array( 'theme_location' etc
the menu items links to the pages. Can i use/edit wp_nav_menu so it adds a # for every page link, like
Or should i create a custom menu function?
bonus question: Why doesn't wp_get_nav_menu_items give me the permalink/slug for post_name but just the post number as post_name? (see http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/wp_get_nav_menu_items)


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I suspect that downloading SOFA Statistics is, for most users, the last contact they have with the project or the community. The latest version (1.0.2) addresses this. Approximately 2 weeks after the first use, and every couple of months thereafter, SOFA Statistics pops up a "What's Happening" web page within the application. This page has links to help, quotes, latest SOFA Statistics news, resources, featured statistics videos etc. I hope it will be of value to users, and help them get the most out of SOFA Statistics and the training etc resources available. This aspect of SOFA is intended to be relatively unobtrusive and it can be closed immediately if so desired with its close button.
Other changes include:
- Added explanation of Mann-Whitney U to output, added degrees of freedom to output wherever possible, added footnotes for p values where lacking, and ensured all p values are to 3 decimal points unless under 0.001 in which case '< 0.001' is displayed.
- Better help messages if early problem with comtypes (Windows only) or library dates.
Bug fixes include:
- Fixed bug when reporting on datetime fields as rows or columns in report tables in MySQL, PostgreSQL, Access, and SQL Server.
- Fixed minor bug which meant MySQL importing failed on Macs because it didn't recognise the platform.
Work will begin soon on the versions leading up to 1.1.


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NBC says round two of the Democratic presidential debate was the party's most-watched ever.
Based on Nielsen figures out Friday, the event including early front-runners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders averaged 18.1 million viewers across NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo.
That topped the previous Democratic debate audience high of 15.5 million for an October 2015 event, which included eventual nominee Hillary Clinton.
Viewership for that debate was previously estimated at 15.8 million.
Neither of this week's debates approached the audience for the first 2016 GOP primary debate, with newcomer Donald Trump driving curiosity. It drew nearly 24 million viewers on Fox News Channel.
The pair of Democratic debates, the first of the 2020 campaign, split a field of 20 contenders into two groups.
A headline-making exchange Thursday involved former Vice President Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris, who sparred over Biden's civil rights record.


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Newnan, GA Heating Services
When it comes to heating your home, Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is the company to call!
The winter months can be tough on our heating systems in Georgia. For more than 30 years, Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has brought relief to Newnan, GA residents who need to keep their homes warm. When your HVAC system goes on the fritz, you want skilled, reliable service at affordable rates. Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has more than 500 5-star Google reviews, holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and has been recognized for its superior customer service by Angie's List. Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing specializes in mechanical services and delivers expert HVAC installation, furnace replacement, maintenance, tune-ups, and 24/7 emergency repair.


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Big News in the Blogosphere
OK, so this is not exactly about advertising but since it's about blogging and Adrants is a blog, I kinda follow this stuff. It's new blog software week. Here's the deal. Ben and Mena Trott of MoveableType, the publishing platform that makes MarketingFix (my other blog) possible, have just announced a new product called TypePad. They have also named Anil Dash , a guru status blogger and until recently chief developer over at VillageVoice.com, to be VP of Biz Dev. Further, they have closed an initial round of funding.
TypePad is a new, hosted weblog platform making it even easier for bloggers to blog and publishers to publish. If TypePad is anything like the original MoveableType, then bloggers, professional and non, are in for a big treat.
So what does this mean for businessess. In the Guardian article, the writer puts it this way:
By creating content management systems with professional features, for around one thousandth of the price of the systems the large sites of the dotcom era were forced to use, the weblogging industry is rapidly creating new possibilities for people to make a living writing for the web. Micropublishers, such as Nick Denton's Gawker and Gizmodo, need these powerful tools, but until now would have been forced into either writing their own or investing in a system more suitable for newspapers.
Not to be outdone, Blogger, who was recently aquired by Google, has also announced it's new version called Dano. I took a look at it today and sadly, it is not much more then a facelift. To be fair, it is an Alpha release but I was not wowed. Adrants is Blogger powered and I was hoping for more.
MT and TypePad seem to have it over Blogger at this point. Complete management over content from commenting to search to built in blogrolling (link management). Blogger, while easy to use, just does not have a complete set of blogging features needed to be a major player as this form of publishing moves into the corporate world.
MoveableType: Six Log: Six Apart Milestones
Moveable Type: Six Apart: Six Apart Ltd. Announces Close of Series "A" Financing
Guardian: Bloggers Tool Up
Moveable Type: Six Apart: Six Apart Ltd. Names Anil Dash as Vice President of Business Development
Blogger: Dano FAQ


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NEW YORK (AP) - The NFL Pro Bowl rosters for next year will be selected in a draft by team captains, with Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice assisting as alumni captains.
The NFL will abandon the AFC vs. NFC format that has been in place since 1971.
The league says Wednesday that fan voting will determine the players in the draft pool. The draft will be televised by the NFL Network on Jan. 22. The game will be played Jan. 26 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Other changes are coming to the game, too.
The ball will change hands at the end of each quarter, which could double the opportunities for two-minute drills. Kickoffs (and return specialists) will be eliminated - teams will start on their own 25-yard line. Defenses will be allowed to play cover-2 and press coverage in addition to man, and several clock tweaks have been instituted to speed up the game and prompt offensive play.


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The man accused of fatally shooting a woman who placed an ad on Craigslist was someone who was "preying on people who were in a vulnerable position," the police commissioner said.
Police on Monday arrested Philip Markoff, 22, of Quincy, in the woman's death last week at a luxury hotel. Markoff is to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Boston Municipal Court on charges of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
But police believe Markoff may have been involved in other crimes against women who also posted ads on Craigslist.
"There may be other victims out there, and if you are, we want you to come forward," Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said. "Our top priority is holding Philip Markoff accountable. He's a predator."
Markoff is charged with killing Julissa Brisman, 26, who was found dead April 14 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. The New York City woman advertised massage services on Craigslist and had a massage table set up in the room where she was shot Tuesday, police said.
In addition, Markoff is charged with kidnapping and armed robbery in a separate case involving another woman he met on Craigslist.
Police said they had long suspected that Brisman's killer was connected to a robbery at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston.
Authorities believe Markoff also may be connected to the attempted robbery Thursday in Warwick, R.I., of an exotic dancer who had posted an ad on Craigslist. She was held at gunpoint before her husband entered the room and her attacker fled.
Boston police are working with Warwick authorities in that case, Davis said.
Markoff, a Boston University graduate student, was arrested by Boston police after he was stopped south of Boston on Interstate 95 in Walpole, Police Commissioner Ed Davis said at a news conference.
Authorities said Markoff is originally from upstate New York and lives in Quincy, just south of Boston. A Facebook profile matching Markoff's identity, including his photograph, lists him as a 2007 graduate of State University of New York-Albany and in the 2011 class at BU.
A Boston University spokeswoman told Boston radio station WBZ-AM that Markoff had been suspended from the medical school after his arrest.
Conley said police hope more possible victims who advertised on Craigslist come forward so authorities can build a stronger case against Markoff. "If you are" a victim, said Conley, "we want to help you."
"He has no criminal record," said Davis, who added that the suspect is from upstate New York. "We are very, very happy to have this off the street in such a timely way."
Davis would not comment if a weapon has been recovered but said more details on the investigation will be made public at the arraignment. Authorities have also obtained a warrant to search Markoff's home, police said.
Boston police said they've also received more than 150 tips about Brisman's killing.
Watch the News Report


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May Is National Hamburger Month
Whether you like yours with extra pickles or without onions, smothered in melted cheese or topped with bacon, you'll be excited to know May is National Hamburger Month.
National Hamburger Month isn't exactly a sanctioned event and greeted with the same fervor as, say, Memorial Day, but it does have roots. White Castle, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this month, reportedly created the gimmick in 1992.
In honor of the momentous occasion, 20,000 people responded to a Whataburger survey on its Facebook page asking what their favorite burger from the restaurant is. The big winner? One that comes with mustard, cheese, bacon and jalapenos, served on the restaurant's trademark Texas toast.
Of course, there isn't just one kind of burger, a food is as American as the apple pie you can't eat for dessert if you stuff your face with enough of the beef.
So, enjoy your burgers -- whichever way you like 'em. And be sure to catch your breath in June because July is National Hot Dog Month.


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Hand-Harvesting Salt from the Sea with Ben Jacobsen of Jacobsen Salt in Portland
Who: Ben Jacobsen
What: Jacobsen Salt
Where: North Oregon Coast
Salt is so basic, elemental, and simple. It's one of the one of the oldest local foods, having been harvested by sea–faring people for thousands of years. You could argue that it is the one cooking ingredient with the strongest sense of place, locality, history and importance. Salt is essential. Ben Jacobsen believes everyone deserves hand-harvested sea salt, so he gathers buckets of brine from the blustery Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon (about 80 miles from Portland) and transforms them into glorious white crystals.
Ben learned to appreciate finishing salts while living in Norway and Copenhagen for several years. Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest he was struck by the burgeoning creativity within the Portland food scene and the collective emphasis on using locally- made produce and ingredients whenever possible. There was something amiss however; no one was making the baseline substance that touched each and every morsel of food. Ben began tinkering with salt by traveling to the nearby coastline, determining the sweet spots for salinity, minerality and taste and testing over 25 different locations. He walked in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, who attempted to harvest salt from the chilly Oregon waters over 200 years ago.
Ben's three year experimentation phase led to the only hand harvested salt company in the Pacific Northwest. He now has too many orders, and his salt claims a diverse group of fans. There are the Michelin Star-rated chefs who use his salt exclusively; the purveyors of chocolate chip cookies (a revelation if you've never tried this standard flavor dusted with sea salt!), ice creams, chocolates, bagels and cocktails; as well as shops specializing in handmade, beautiful goods and home cooks who've come around to quality salts. Ben is now a few weeks away from moving into a production space of over 2,000 feet after working in a crowded cooperative commercial kitchen in downtown Portland for the past year. It's a good problem to have – Ben and his team are working around the clock to keep pace with the demand for his traditionally created, pure salt crystals. For an essential I unabashedly took for granted, it was illuminating and humbling to witness the simplicity of the harvest (buckets of water and the ocean!) and the obsessive, tender care put into each batch.
The process of making salt starts with a once a week visit to a special coastal spot (I accompanied Ben to Netarts Bay) and carrying buckets or hand pumping 275 gallons of sea water into plastic drums (which weigh about 400 pounds), cooking the brine down on six burners in massive pots, and moving the reduced salt water to evaporation pans. After another 12 or so hours, Jacobsen gathers the formed salt crystals with a large mesh spoon, spreads the salt onto drying pans and bags it up. A 4–ounce bag will set you back about $10.
The Test Kitchen
Ben and his small team have been working within a 300 square foot spot at a communal commercial kitchen, KitchenKru, in downtown Portland for the past year. Several other producers use this space to create baked goods, hot sauces, and cured meats. The energy is palpable upon setting your foot in the door; all the small businesses support and push each other to be their very best. It's a very popular place, but Ben's needs have outgrown the square footage. Jacobsen Salt is currently in the process of signing a lease on a workshop closer to the coast where visitors can see the salty brine being cooked down and dried into salt as well as take part in tastings. Perhaps we'll get to tour that space in a few months!
The Secret Sauce
The secret is that there is no secret with Ben Jacobsen's salts. The guy exudes passion, determination, and commitment to this unique niche he's fulfilling within the northwest food scene. His pride of place, love of the ocean, and respect for daily pleasures — to be enjoyed with a sprinkle of real good salt— keep him going despite the long hours and stress of being a small business owner. Ben wears his heart on his sleeve and is relentless in his enthusiasm for quality salt. His flake finishing sea salt has won me over and taken up residence in my daily salt jar. Nothing beats it for minerality, fresh ocean taste, clean mouthfeel and delicate texture.
The Business Plan
Jacobsen Salt hit the ground running with a multipronged strategy. They host tastings at local grocery stores and markets, educate cooks and chefs on the nuances of the product so they know what they're cooking with, and co-host events like the recent Feast kick off party in New York City (Feast is an upcoming Portland food festival). Ben also has a Kickstarter campaign going on now to help fund his new, larger facility. His business goal is to create more jobs on the Oregon coast, streamline production to a more localized space, and meet the demands for his product. And catch up on sleep one day!
The Community
The relationships Ben has formed have been pivotal to his success. He's partnered with an array of local Portland chefs who adore his salt; this means a great deal to Ben. Many Portland artisans season their products with Jacobsen Salt and from there, his customer base and fans begin to see his tell–tale, chic, mint–green labeled bag everywhere. Portland is a city with dedicated eaters and appreciators of the most handmade, sustainably sourced, story-driven foods. (Have you seen Portlandia? The chicken scene is dead on!) We are the perfect city for Ben to have dabbled with an idea in then subsequently informed the culinary landscape with the most critical, baseline taste. Sprinkle by sprinkle, flake by flake.
6 Quick Questions for Ben Jacobsen
Favorite online resources for your kitchen?
Hmm… Honestly, I'm pretty basic when it comes to my kitchen. Farmers' markets, my parent's garden (they have a ton of stuff) for produce and eggs. I love the store Canoe, and they have a bunch of tabletop items. Portland Fruit Tree Project is a brilliant site and organization you can access to figure out where and what to harvest in your area.
The one thing you can't live without?
Good hugs!
If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be and why?
Anthony Bourdain. How could I not?! Good, real food, great drinks. I can just imagine the stories that guy has.
What's in your Google reader?
• The Kitchn
• NPR Food
• Eater
• Portland Monthly Eat Beat
If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Establish a production facility on the Oregon Coast. Create jobs and help kickstart the coastal economy.
What's your favorite thing to sprinkle salt on?
Keep it simple. Bread and butter. A fresh slice of watermelon. Fried eggs and toast.
Thanks, Ben!
• Visit Ben's Kickstarter Campaign: Jacobsen Salt Kickstarter
• Check out Ben's Site: Jacobsen Salt
(Images: Leela Cyd Ross)